Cat home after two lost years

REUNITED: Tammy Allen with her children, Luke, 12, and Jess, 8, of South Lismore reunited with their cat "Miffy" after it went missing two years ago.Patrick Gorbunovs

MIFFY the cat has handed out more than enough shocks and surprises to last a lifetime.

The beloved family cat of Tammy Allen and her children Luke, 12, and Jessica, 8, went missing two years ago, and presumed long gone, before a surprise reunion last week.

The now South Lismore-located family was stunned when a ranger rang them on Thursday to let them know that a cat had been found - living in the roof of Kmart in the Lismore Shopping Square and setting off frequent alarms.

"He said, 'have you got a cat called Miffy?' and I told him, well, not anymore, Miffy died a few years ago - he replied 'well actually, no she didn't,'" Ms Allen said.

Miffy was found by workers on Wednesday and was taken to the vet where she was scanned for a microchip - which linked her straight back to her astounded but overjoyed family.

The furry feline's memories of the Square might have been what drew her to her hideaway, Ms Allen explained, as the family used to live close by the Square and whenever Ms Allen went shopping, Miffy would try to follow them.

Two and a half years ago however, the family moved to Lismore Heights, and six months later, Miffy disappeared.

When all searching efforts were exhausted, Ms Allen said she gave up hope - until Thursday that is, when Miffy popped back into their life.

While it's been a long time away, Miffy was settling into much better than expected, Ms Allen said on Saturday.

While she's scared of loud noises, Ms Allen said in the few nights Miffy had been home she's slept on Ms Allen's bed head, her old favourite spot, and is starting to remember her name when called.

But it's still quite a mystery as to where Miffy has been the whole time - as she looks rather healthy and clean, Ms Allen said she has a feeling that maybe someone has thought Miffy was a stray and took care of her - to which she's thankful.

Another odd thing, Ms Allen said, is that when she went missing, Miffy was wearing a pink collar with her name on it, but when found, the ranger told her Miffy was wearing a white collar.

"It would be good if she could talk - where have you been the last two years?" Ms Allen said.